Paper feeding device



7 Sheets-Sheet l CREP/76 .84L4N65 ik cesa/rs .9AM/vai af G. GHERTMAN PAPER FEEDING DEVICE FIG. 1.'

FIG. 2.

Filed May ll, 1938 F IG. 11.

"7 [15' l5! I7/ Il! 207 225 249 t! E79 297 .9/5 1113!/30 Dec. 5, 1939.

G. GHERTMAN PAPER FEEDING DEVICE Filed May 11, 1938 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVE TOR TTORNEY 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 5, 1939. G. GHERTMAN PAPER FEEDING DEVICE Filed May 1l, 1938 1B! m \.i..i..:. N

V t N n l A 6 Y B G. I n O. 5 X-, 5 f w o o o W l|\\ 6 :I 6 v o w a ll ,1 lv/ Y? U 5 l l v u r bf l a 6 J 5 5 u! Hh JJ f Mm 0 0,. Q

a W 4 5 ,W o 3 IW 0 5, 1939. cs. GHERTMAN PAPER FEEDING DEVICE Filed May ll, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 (7 l V TOR ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1939. G. GHERTMAN PAPER FEEDING DEVICE 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May ll, 1938 ooov INV TOR ATTORNEY Dec. 5', 1939. G. GHERTMAN 2,181,992

PAPER FEEDING DEVICE Filed May ll, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet T INVEN OR prf( I BY ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES' PATENT OFFICE PAPER FEEDING DEVICE Application May 11, 1938, Serial No. 207,349

14 Claims.

'I'he present invention relates generally to improvements in paper feeding devices and more specifically to posting feed devices for automatically moving a record sheet to predetermined impression receiving positions.

An object of the invention is to provide devices for automatically feeding a record sheet in position to receive an initial printed impression on the first line below a heading, or to feed the l0 sheet in position to receive a line of item print directly below previously printed lines of items.

Another obj ect of the invention is the provision of means for controlling the posting position of the record sheet by means of the sheet itself. A

stripe is marked on the sheet and as successive printing impressions are made line by line down the sheet, the stripe is progressively lengthened towards the bottom of the sheet so that when the sheet is removed and later reinserted to receive further posting entries, the lower end of the stripe serves as a guide to limit the sheet feeding operation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of devices for automatically controlling a sheet striping means so that it is made ineifective while a sheet is being brought up to printing position and While it is being ejected, said striper being made effective only during printing operation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of photocell devices for sensing the length of a stripe on a record sheet and thereby controlling its position; said devices being made ineiective automatically except when the sheet is being brought up to printing position.

A feature of the invention is the provision of means for automatically starting printing operation when the end of a stripe is sensed on a. sheet, thus indicating that the sheet is in position to receive printing impressions.

A further object of the invention is the provision of clutching and declutching devices between the driving means and a sheet feeding platen, said clutching and declutching devices being controlled by a galvanometric relay and photocell devices inuenced by stripes of differential length on the record sheets being fed thereby.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of means for automatically disabling sheet striping device after the initiation of a total taking cycle.

Fiuther objects of the instant invention reside any novel feature of construction or operation or novel'combination of parts present in the embodiment of the invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings whether within or without the scope of the appended claims and irrespective of other specific statements as to the scope of the invention contained herein.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a View of a sample record sheet shown 5 before receiving printing impressions. The right margin is marked with a stripe of such length that the feeding devices are controlled to bring the sheet in position to receive the first line of print.

Fig. 2 is a view showing a sample sheet which 10 has received five lines oi print and the stripe thereon is extended to control the feeding devices to bring the sheet in position to receive the sixth line of print when it is reinserted in the printing machine. 15

Fig. 3 is a side elevation View Showing,r the photocell sensing devices and the stripe marking roller.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation view of the platen showing the stripe roller and the brushes for 20 sensing the passage of the end of a sheet.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation view of the accounting and printing machine to which the present invention is applied.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of the regular 25 line spacing control devices in the accounting machine.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation View of the clutching and declutching devices connected with the paper feed control devices and the paper insertion and l so ejection control devices.

Fig. 7a is a detail view of an armature latch and clutch control lever associated with the feed clutching magnet.

Fig. 8 is a rear elevation view of the feed a5 clutching and declutching devices.

Fig. 9 is a bottom sectional view of the clutching and declutching devices.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of a portion of a record card used to control the tabulator. o Fig. 11 is a timing chart showing the operation.

time of the new cam contacts.

Fig. 12 is a wiring diagram of the electrical controls provided for governing the feeding devices.

The invention is illustrated in connection with a tabulatirig machine such as the one disclosed in U. S. Patents 2,042,324 and 2,079,418. Tabulators such as these are controlled by perforated record cards it', Fig. it, to print, add, subtract and com- 5@ pute balances and totals of the amounts represented on the cards, in addition to the printing of alphabetical information as set forth in U. S. Patent 015582.

The cards it are arranged in groups accordn ing to group numbers perforated therein so that a series of related items may be added to compute the total amount of the group. The cards are passed through the machine in succession and automatic group control devices compare the group numbers on consecutive cards`so that a group change may be detected. When 'such a change is detected a total printing operation is initiated and the accumulator is reset.

The printing mechanism is of the form shown in Fig. 5. There it is seen that the printer includes a platen I6, and a series of type carriers I1 each having a plurality of type elements I8 adapted to be struck by a hammer I9' loosely pivoted on a shaft 20. The type carrier is connected atits lower end to an arm 2| fulcrumed at 22. Springs 23 connected to the arms 2| and to a cross beam 24 connected between arms 25 pivoted at 26, tend to lift the arms 2| to raise the type carriers. A restoring bail 21 connected by links 28 to arms 25 is adapted to restore the arms 2| to their lowest or normal position.

An arm V29 (Fig. 6) fixed to the shaft 26, on which the arms 25 are also fixed, is connected by a link 32 to a follower arm 33 pivoted at 34 and cooperating with complementary cams 35 and 36 on cam shaft 31.

Shaft 31 is driven through a chain of gears 38, 39, and 48, the latter of which is mounted on a shaft 4|. Shaft 4I turns synchronously with the feeding of the cards through the machine and the bail 21 (Fig. 5) is raised to permit the type carriers to rise in synchronism with the feeding of the card. Thus, when the type element I8 carrying rthe numeral nine is approaching the printing line with respect to platen I6 and the actuating hammer I9, the nine position on the card will be passing the card sensing brushes. If there is a perforation in the card at the nine position, a circuit will be closed through the sensing brush to the printing magnet PM of that particular column. This will attract an associated armature 42 which is connected to one of the rods 43 which at the other end is connected to a latching member 44 of the particular column. This will release a latching pawl 45 permitting it to cooperate with ratchet teeth 46 carried by the type carrier to stop the type carrier with the nine type I8 in line for printing.

Line spacing is carried on in the ordinary manner by devices about to be described. Referring to Fig. 5 it is seen that a record sheet 49 is carried by the platen I6 supported by the paper carriage frame in the usual manner. Platen spacing is effected by the usual pawl and ratchet (not shown) operated from a shaft 50`journaled in the carriage frame. Fixed to shaft 50 is an arm 5| (Fig. 6) carrying a rod 52 cooperating with a bifurcated lever 53 mounted on stud 54. To this stud is secured an arm 55 connecting through a link 56 with an arm 51 on shaft 58. In Fig. 5 it is seen that the constantly running worm wheel 59 has affixed thereto a. double cam 60 engaging a lever 6| urged by a spring 62 into contact with said cam. An upwardly extending arm of lever 6| carries a stud 63 which moves in an L-slot 64 0f a link 65 connected to an arm 48 on shaft 58. A nose 66 of link 65 rests upon armature 81. Magnet LSM, energized at a time when the follower roller of lever 6|,is on the low portion of cam 60 and stud 63 is to the right in slot 64, will permit link 65 to be drawn down into operating,

ated to cause spacing of platen I6. A spring 68 restores shaft 58 and the connected links.

Following such paper spacing, a pin 69 in worm wheel 59 coacts with a bell crank 10 to raise link 65 positively out of active engagement with stud 63 and latch it on armature 61. A double armed lever 1I is provided to positively force link 65 down when armature 61 is actuated and in reverse order when link 65 is restored, to positively restore the armature.

When it is desired to feed the record sheet a distance greater than a single line space, other platen driving means are brought into play. These devices are made effective to shift the sheet initially past the preprinted heading and bring it to the first line printing position. They also serve to eject the sheet after a total is printed or after one or more items are listed. The feeding devices including clutching and declutching means interposed between the driving means and the platen, said means being selectively operated to start and stop the feed as explained more fully hereinafter.

Turning to Fig. 8 it is noted that the feeding controls are mounted between a pair of side frames 14 and 15 fixed'to the tabulator frame. A short transmission shaft 16 is suspended in a bracket 11 attached to the tabulator. Fastened to one end of shaft 16 is a bevel gear 18 meshing with another bevel gear 19 which is fastened to the constantly rotating vertical shaft of the tabulator. Also attached to shaft 16is a sprocket 8| for driving a chain belt 82 that is wrapped around another sprocket 83 in driving engagement therewith. The chain is maintained taut by an adjustable idler sprocket 84 (Fig. 7) pressed against the left side.

Sprocket Wheel 83 (Fig. 9) is loosely mounted on a shaft 85 which is keyed to a feeding drive gear 86. The sprocket 83 may be connected to the drive gear 86, an idler gear 81 and a pinion 88 on`the platen shaft 89, through a friction clutch comprising a friction disk 98 which is fastened on the sprocket 83v and a slidable keyed sleeve 9| which may be pressed against disk 90 by spring 92 or moved away therefrom by electric controls about to be described.

It is apparent from the foregoing that when clutch 99--9'I is engaged, paper feed platen shaft 89 is driven during either listing or total taking cycles. In other words, platen I6 (Fig. 8) rotates through connections to shaft 80 each time clutch 98--9I is in engagement.

An engaging electromagnet EM (Fig. 7) makes it possible, by means of an associated armature 93 pivoting on points 94, to control engaging sleeve 9| by a lever 95 arranged to bring it against disk 90 to determine clutch engagement. Magnet EM trips the latch connections (Fig. 7a) which."

normally hold lever and sleeve 9| (Fig. 9) out of clutching relationship, against the tension of spring 92. Lever 95 has an end 96 (Fig. 7a) which fits into a groove in sleeve 9|, and it pivots on a vertical stud 91 (Fig. '7) so that a block 98 thereon is in the path of a depending iinger 99 on armature 93. When the armature is attracted, finger 99 moves to the right (Fig. 7a) out of the path of block 98 and thereby releases lever 95 (Fig. 9) so that it may be rocked in a counterclockwise direction by spring 92 to press sleeve 9| against disk 9|) in driving relationship.

A disengaging electromagnet DM (Figs. 7 and, 8) operates in an opposite way through an armature lever IUI cooperating with lever 95 to shift sleeve 9| and compress spring 92 andrelatch lever 95 and block 98 behind armature nser 99 and thus stop the rotation of platen I6 and the feed of the paper strip. Lever pivots on a rod |02 and carries an adjustable projection |03 cooperating with the end of lever. 95 so that the lever may be rocked in a clockwise direction (Fig. 9) and relatched as shown in Fig. 1a.

The devices for controlling the energization of magnets EM and DM which make it possible to engage or disengage the clutch for controlling the platen drive are described hereinafter.

The foregoing sections of the disclosure dealing with the card sensing devices, printing mechanisms, line spacing controls and sheet feeding devices are related generally to the usual form oi' tabulating mechanism. The sections of the speciiication about to be presented relate in the main' to the novel features of the present invention.

In Fig. 1 is shown the ledger record sheet 49 with a preprinted stripe that is sensed by photocell devices which control the sheet feeding operation. The length of the stripe determines the duration or extent of the feeding operation. The preprinted portion |05 of the stripe determines the length of the initial feed operation and the placement of the first line of print, as shown in Fig. 2. As a plurality of items are printed, the

1 sheet 49 is line spaced and the stripe is extended towards the bottom of the sheet by a striping means in the tabulator. As live lines of print are made, the stripe is extended by the amount |06, Fig. 2, so that if the sheet is removed and reinserted, the photocell devices sensing the lengthened stripe will control the feed to stop the sheet in the sixth line position to receive a line of print directly under the five existing lines of print.

As an alternative method of controlling the initial feed of the ledger sheet, the sheet may be inserted by hand up to the desired first line position without the use of a preprintedportion of the stripe. During such hand feeding, the tabulator striping means would mark a top portion of stripe |05 to control all subsequent automatic posting reinsertions of the sheet.

Referring to Fig. 3 it is seen that the platen I6 and platen shaft 89 are supported at the right end in a carriage side frame |01 to which is attached a paper guide |08 that slopes down under the platen and up around the front to hold the record sheet in contact with the platen. The top of the sheet 49 is placed in the machine under a rod |09 loosely pivoted in frame |01. Attached to rod |09 inside the carriage frames is a feeler finger I I| the end of which normally rests in an opening in the guide |08. Fixed to the portion of rod |09 extending outside the frame |01 is an arm I|2 which has an insulated tip bearing against a contact blade' of a pair of contacts |I3. When the leading edge of the sheet is placed between feeler and guide |08 and forced down into engagement with feed roller III, the feeler finger is raised by the sheet and rod |09 is rocked in a clockwise direction. Then the arm I I2 there- 0n closes contacts II 3 to initiate a sheet feeding and sensing operation as explained more fully with reference to the wiring diagram.

Attached to the main right side frame |I 5 is an adjustable plate ||6 carrying the photo-cell sensing devices. 'I'he plate is slotted at II1 and II8 with curved slots that adapt it for radial adjustment with respect to the platen. Screws I I9 hold the plate fast to the main frame. A bracket |20 on plate I I6 holds a lampALwhich emits light rays that are concentrated by a lens |2| mounted ln a support |22 fixed to plate ||6. The light rays are directed on the periphery of platen I6' at a point over which moves the stripe I 05. When the darkened stripe passes the light is not reiiected and the feed continues until the end o1' the stripe is sensed. Then the light rays are reflected from the surface of the paper and directed back through a shade |23 and lens |24 and into a photo-electric cell |25 which stops the feeding y operation to initiate printing and line spacing. The lens |24 is mounted on an angle iron |26 which is adjustably mounted on a fixed bracket |21 by means of a bolt |28 which passes through a slot in |26. 'Ihe photocell unit |25 is adjustably held on the horizontal leg of angle |26 by means of a shouldered screw |29 passing through a slot and held by a nut |30 and a washer.

'I'he point X at which the light rays are refiected to detect the passage of the end of stripe |05, may be varied by means of the sensing unit adjustments provided by slots ||1, I|8, bolt |28 and screw |29. A cover is heldover the photocell unit to shield it from light other than that emitted by lamp L.

Attached to the right carriage frame |01 (Fig.

' 3) is a plate |35 carrying the striping marker devices. Loosely pivoted on a stud |36 projecting from plate |35 is a U-shaped frame with a pair of arms |31 and |38 (Fig. 4) between which two shafts |39 and |40 are mounted to carry an inking roller 4| and a striping roller |42. Fixed to the crossbar |43 (Fig. 3) of the Vmarker frame is an armature bar |44 extending up in front of a striping control magnet SM secured to a bracket |45 attached to plate |35.

The ends of arms |31, |38 are held properly spaced by a rod |46 riveted in the marker frame. Secured to a downwardly extending portion |41 of arm |31 is a well |48 for holding a supply of ink |49 into which extends the roller |4I. A spring |50 tends to hold the striping frame rocked counterclockwise (Fig. 3) with striping roller |42 in contact with the platen I6, but normally this is prevented by magnet SM which is energized to attract bar 44 and rockthe frame in a clockwise direction to lift the roller |42 above the platen so that the record sheet may be fed therebetween before the magnet is deenergized to drop the roller on the paper.

The top of the armature bar |44 cooperates with a variable limiting stop in the form of a rod |5I extending from plate |35 and frictionally secured thereto but adjustable radially by means of a thumb piece |52. The edge of rod |5| against which the armature I 44 strikes is flattened to form a cam surface whereby the armature may be positioned clockwise to vary the pressure and position of the roller |42 with respect to the record sheet.

As the sheet is spaced for the entry of item after item, roller |42 turns to mark a stripe |05, |06 (Fig. 2) that continues towards the bottom of the sheet as long as items are printed. Roller |4I is frictionally driven by roller I 42A and thereby carries the ink up out of the well |48 and deposits it on the roller |42 to prepare the roller for subsequent striping operation. The magnet SM is automatically energized before a sheet is ejected, so that the striping roller is lifted out of printing position as a sheet passes out and another sheet is fed in.

As the end of the stripe |05 on an inserted sheet 49 passes the point X, Fig. 3, the photocell devices initiate operation of the sheet yfeed declutching devices to stop the feeding operation. 'Ihe eifect of this control is not instantaneous,

therefore the end of the stripe does not stop directly above X, instead it is carried to the point Y under the striping roller |42 from which position the stripe may be lengthened as items are printed. The photocell devices are adjustably positioned to placev the focusing point X in such a position with respect to the distance between X and Y, that the end of the stripe always stops at the point Y in readiness for further posting entries and continuation of the posting control stripe.

Passage of the end of the sheet away from the platen is sensed and used to control declutching of the feeding means. For this purpose the right end of the platen |6, Fig. 4, is provided with a conducting ring |55 upon which rest a pair of sensing brushes |56 mounted in an insulated holder |51 fixed to the carriage frame |01 by a nut |58. The record sheet 39 separates the brushes |56 froml the ring |55 while printing takes place and during ejection. However, at the end of the sheet ejection operation, the lower edge of the sheet passes 'above the brushes, allowing them to touch the ring and initiate operation cf the feed declutching magnet DM as explained further with reference to the wiring diagram.

In the wiring diagram, Fig. l2, there are shown only those connections necessary for the functioning of the various devices described in detail in this specification. machine in which the devices are incorporated may have all the usual controls such as those shown in Patent 2,079,418 and the other patents already mentioned.

The main lines |60 and ||i| are connected to the power source by the main switch PS.

The lamp L is connected by wire |62 in series with one winding of a transformer T. The other winding of the same transformer is connected across the main lines by wires |63, |64; and a switch |65 in series therewith, is closed when the lamp is to be lighted for ledger posting feed control.

A posting control switch Sl is closed whenever automatic sheet insertion and ejection is desired.

As soon as switch S| is closed, a circuit is completed through a control relay 30| which is in series with the paper sensing brushes I 56 (Fig. 4) initially resting directly on the conducting band |55. I'hen a circuit is completed through line |60 (Fig. 12), wire |66, switch S|, wires |61 and |68, relay 30|, wire |69 to one brush |56, band |55, the other brush |56 and wire |10 to line |6|.

Relay 30| then operates contacts 30|a, 30|b and 30|c to prepare connections for various parts of the feeding and striping control. Contacts 30|c, when closed, complete a circuit through the striping control magnet SM and an associated holding relay 308. The .circuit through fmagnet SM may be traced from line |60, through wire |66, switch S|, wires |61, |68 and |12, magnet SM, contacts 30|c, and wires |13, |14 and |15.to line |6|. At the same time, relay 308 is energized through wires |16 and |11 connected in parallel with magnet SM. Relay 308 then closes contacts 308i) to establish a holding circuit for itself and magnet SM. The circuit through relay 308 includes line |60, wire |66, switch S|, wires |61', |68 and |16, relay 308, wire |19, contacts 30817', wire |80, contacts 3031i, wires |14, |15 and line |6|. Magnet SM is held energized by wires |12 and |11 connecting it in parallel with relay 308. By means of these connections, magnet SM (Fig. 3) is made eiective to It is understood that the elevate the inking roller |42 so that striping is not performed until a sheet isfed automatically to the proper position, at which time contacts 303D (Fig. 12) are opened to deenergize magnet SM so that the inking roller descends to start striping the record sheet 49 as explained more fully hereinafter.

When a sheet is placed on table |08 (Fig. 3) and directed under lever Ato lift it and close contacts ||3, Fig. 12, a circuit is completed through control relays 304 and 301because at the time contacts 30m are also closed. The circuit runs through line |60, wire |66, switch 5|, wire |61, lever contacts 3, relays 304 and 301, contacts 30|a, wire |8| and line |6l.

The energized relay 301 then acts to close associated contacts 30112 in series with the feed clutch engaging magnet EM. When the cam contacts C1335 are closed, an impulse is directed through magnet EM' over the connections; line |60, wire |66, switch S|, wires |61, |68, cam contacts CB35, magnet EM, contacts 301D, wire |82 and line |6I. Magnet EM then acts, Fig. 7a, to free lever 35 so that clutch 80, 9|, Fig. 8, is connected to rotate the platen i6 and feed the record sheet 49.

As soon as sheet feeding is initiated, the photocell sensing devices are also called into action by relay 306|. This relay closes contacts 304e to complete a circuit through an associated holding coil 30011 which then remains energized until a pair of contacts DMU. are opened when the sheet feed is declutched. The circuit through the holding coil includes line |60, wire |66, switch S|, wires |61, |68, holding coil 304H, contacts 304e, contacts DMa, wire |83 and line |6|. Coil 304H then closes the contacts 304a in series with the sensitive elements of the photocell |25, making it and the attached galvanometric relay GR responsive to any light from lamp L that is reected off the sheet 49 at the point X, Fig. 3.

As the sheet is fed, it passes between brushes |56, Fig. 4, and band |55 to insulate the brushes and break the circuit which has been passing through relay magnet 30|. Contacts 30|a and 30|c are opened by the deenergization of relay .30|, but even though magnets 304 and 301 are thus deenergized, contacts 304a are held closed by coil, 3041-1 and sheet feeding continues after contacts 301b are opened. Energization of the stripe roller lifting magnet SM is also sustained by contacts. 30812 after contacts 30| c are opened.

The darkened stripe |05, Fig. 2, passes in the inspection field of the optical system as the sheet continues to move. Photocell |25, Fig. 12, and relay GR adjusted so that the galvanometric relay is not eifective as long as the black stripe is inspected. However as soon as the bottom end of the stripe passes the point X, Fig. 3, the light from lamp L is reected from an unmarked part of the border of sheet 49. Then the photocell |25, Fig. 12, is affected and the current through the galvanometer coil is reinforced. The light sensing circuit includes a battery B, the special coil of relay GR, contacts 304a and photocell |25. .The coil then moves to close galvanometer contacts |84 which are in series with a relay C. This relay is energized by means of a circuit through line |60, Awire |66, switch S|, wire |85, resistance |86, relay C, contacts 184, wires |87, |88 and line |6|.

Relay 4C then acts to close contacts Ca and energize relays 302 and 303 for causing operation of declutching magnet DM. 'I'he circuit through the relays may be traced from line |60, through Wire |66, switch S|, wires |61, |68, relays 302, 303, contacts Ca, wires |89, |90, contacts DMa and wire |83 to line |6|.' Relays 302 and 303 are effective to close contacts 302a, 30222, 302e and 303e, which are in series with the declutching magnet DM. The declutching circuit is made up with line |60, wire |9I, switch S2, contacts 303e, 302a, 3021) and 302c, magnet DM and line |6|. A condenser C prevents sparking across the contacts. Declutching key DK may be operated at any time to energize magnet DM and stop the sheet feeding operation. Referring to Figs. 1 and 8 it is seen that magnet DM operates lever |I to restore lever 95 and declutch the driving connections to the platen.

Magnet DM also acts to open contacts DMa, breaking the circuit through relays- 304H, 302 and 303. Relay 3041-1 then allows contacts 304a to open to deenergize the photocell circuit which, in turn, causes contacts |84 to open, deenergizing relay C. Contacts Ca are then opened to prevent an immediate reenergization of relays 302 and 303 when contacts DMa close.

At the same time that relay 303 is eiective to stop sheet feeding, it is also effective to call the striping mechanism into operation. This is done by opening'contacts 303D to deenergize the striping magnet SM so that the inking roller |42, Fig. 3, may fall on the record sheet to start marking at the point Y which coincides with the end of previously marked portion of the stripe. This distance between X and Y is the measure of the overthrow,` or continued motion of the platen in the interval between the time that the end of the stripe is sensed and the time that declutching is effected. The light focusing point X may be shifted by adjusting the photocell frame. This provides means for bringing the point Y directly under the inking roller.

Relay 303 is also eective to initiate automatic starting of the card feeding andprint'lng operations of the tabulator. When contacts 303e are closed, an impulse is sent through relay 305 along a circuit path including line |60, wire |66, switch Si, wires |61, |68, relay 305, contacts 30301., wires |14, |15 and line |6|. Relay 305 then closes contacts 305a to energize a holding coil 3051-1 as long as cam contacts 0F22 remain closed. The circuit passes through the left side of the line in the usual way, and thence through coil 3051-1, contacts 305a and cam contacts CF22 to line |6|.v Then the holding coil 3051-1 closes contacts305b arranged in a shunt around the tabulator start key contacts ST. Contacts CB36 and CF|2 close to energize the control relay R through a circuit with line |60, wire |93, contacts 305D, cam contacts CB36, relay R5, contacts CF|2, wire |94 and line |6|. Relay R5 then closes contacts R5b to energize the card feed clutch magnet CFCM through connections including line |60, wire |93, contacts R3AL (closed by relay R3 which is energized by the closure of contacts LCL as soon as cards are under the lower brushes), wire |95, contacts R517, magnet CFCM, contacts MIa and INa, switch SS, stop key contacts SP and line |6|. The machine operates to analyze the cards, print the items on the record sheet and compare the group numbers on successive cards to detect a group change in the usual way.

During operation of the tabulator, the sheet posting and ejection control devices are inactive, the sheet being line spaced by the regular line spacing controls including magnet LSM. Contacts EMa and 30912 are placed in series with y line space magnet LSM to prevent simultaneous operation of both Sheet spacing systems, Whencontro] card comparing devices.

ever engaging magnet EM is active in clutching the platen to the driving means, it is also eifective to open contacts EMa to prevent line spacing. Upon the occurrence of a group change and the initiation of a total printing cycle, relay 309 is made effective to open contacts 309b and prevent line spacing while the total is printed and the sheet is ejected.'

Relay magnet 309 is energized by the occurrence of a minor or intermediate group change. Either the minor pickup coil 'MI or the intermediate coil 3|0 is energized by the usual group The electrical controls through which the minor control coil MI is made eiective by a group change, are set forth in detail in the copending application, Serial No. 18,145, flied April 25, 1935, by E. J.` Rabenda. Coil MI, when energized, closes contacts R26@ and makes minor control magnet MI and the associated holding coil R26H effective through a circuit embracing line |60, magnets MI' and R26H, contacts R26a, wire |96, contacts PMB and line |6l. Intermediate coil 3| 0, when made effective, acts to close contacts R21a and energize intermediate magnet IN and the related holding coil 3|0H by a circuit including line |60, magnets IN and 3|0H, contacts R21a, wires |91, |98, contacts PMS and line |6l.

If a minor group total is printed, magnet MI' closes the lower contacts MII 0 and relay 309 is energized through the closed contacts 0F36 and by the closure of contacts PMI-| operated in the total cycle. The circuit includes line 60, contacts 0F36 which remain closed during the suspension of card feeding, relay 309, left contacts PMI l, plug connection |91', lower contacts 3|0b, lower contacts MI|0 and line |6I. An intermediate change causes relay 3|0H to close the upper contacts 3|0b and then relay 309 is energized by means of line |60, contacts CF36, relay 309, left contacts PMII, plug connection |91', upper contacts 3|0b, contacts PM|8 closed after the first half of the total cycle, upper contacts MI|0 and line |6I.

Relay 309 closes contacts 3090, to set up a holding circuit for itself and an initiating circuit for relay 306. 1t also closes contacts 309e to prepare for the energization of the clutch engaging magnet EM to eject the sheet. The holding circuit comprises line |60, contacts CF36, relay 309, right contacts PM|| closed soon after the left contacts, wires |98', |99, contacts 30911, wire and line |6|. Relay 306 is then picked up through line |60, wire |66, switchSl, wires 61, |69, relay 306, wire |99, contacts 399a, wire |15 and line ISI. Contacts 30Gb are closed by relay 306 wto energize an associated holding coil 3061-1 through line |60, wire |66, switch SI, wires |61, |68, coil 306H, contacts 30612, wire |90, contacts DMG, wire |83 and Aline |6|. Relay coil 306H then closes contacts 306a to prepare part of the connections for relays 302 and 303 so they may be effective to initiate operation of the feed declutching magnet DM after the record sheet has been ejected. Coil 3061-1 also closes contacts 306e to energize the ink roller lifting magnet SM while the sheet is being ejected. The circuit follows a path through line |60, wire |66, switch Sl, wires |61, |68, |12, magnet SM, contacts 306C, wires |13, |14, |15, and line |6|.

Returning to consideration of the means for ejecting the record sheet after total printing; upon closure of contacts 309e by\relay 309 and subsequent closure of cam contacts CB35, clutch engaging eject magnet EM is energized by electrical connections comprising line i60, Wire l66, switch SI, wires l'l, itt, contacts CB35, magnet EM, plug connection 2M, contacts 309e and 309a, wire |15 and line ll. Operation of magnet EM is effective to engage the platen with the driving clutch so that the record sheet is ejected. Such ejection after a card group change and total printing may be prevented by disengaging plug connection wires U97 and 204. Ejection before total printing may be secured by establishing series connections through the plug wires H97 and 20H.

After the record sheet is ejected, rotation of the platen is stopped automatically by energization of the declutching magnet DM. This is initiated by the contact of the brushes l5@ on the band i155 as the end of the ejected record sheet ascends the front of the platen. Since relay Stil is in series with brushes U56, it is energized and associated contacts 30th are closed. With contacts Stiia already closed as explained hereinfore, closure of contacts @dit causes energizetion of control relays 302 and through a circuit including line liiii, wire switch Si, wires itil and ltd, relays 3tlg and 3%, wire 2h22, contacts Bill?) and tiilia, wire Hilti, contacts Dil/ia, wire it@ and line itil. Relays Sil and 3 then close the contacts time, wth, 3h20 and iilic in series with the declutching magnet DM. This magnet then operates the driving clutch to stop the movement of the platen after the sheet has been ejected.

'It is pointed out hereinhefore that the inking roller lifting magnet SM is energized by the closure of contacts Sitte. Before relay til@ is deenergized at the end of the cycle and contacts 306e open, magnet SM is sustained in an active condition by the closure of contacts idilio. This serves to hold the striping roller away from the platen, not only during ejection, but until a newly inserted sheet is fed to a positionl to resume recording.

Magnet DM operates contacts DMa to deenergize relays 302, 303 and 304H and 30M-l so that the controls are restored in readiness for a new feeding operation. 'Ihe auto start switch AS is opened when operating with ledger posting feed control. This is done to cause the tabulator to stop at every change of card groups so that a new ledger sheet may be inserted manually.

While there is shown and described the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the disclosed illustrative embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device and its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit of the invention. It is the intention therefore to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for feeding a record sheet, sheet feeding rollers,'a driving means for said rollers,

and extending said stripe each time the machine is operated, photocell devices for sensing the length of said stripe, sheet inserting means for operating said engaging means and said photocell devices, and sheet positioning means controlled by said photocell devices for operating said disengaging means and making said marking means effective when the end of said stripe is sensed,

2. In a machine for feeding a record sheet, sheet feeding rollers, a driving means for said rollers, a clutch for connecting said driving means to the feed rollers, means for engaging said clutch, means for disengaging said clutch, normally ineffective means for marking a stripe on said sheet and extending said stripe each time the machine is operated, photocell devices for sensing the length of said stripe, sheet inserting means for operating said engaging means and said photocell devices, and sheet positioning means controlled by said photocell devices for operating said disengaging means and making said marking means effective when the end of said stripe is sensed, and sheet ejecting means for making said marking means ineective and operating said engaging means to feed the sheet out of said rollers.

3. In a machine for feeding a record sheet, sheet feeding rollers, a driving means for said rollers, a clutch for connecting said driving means to the feed rollers, means for engaging said clutch,

means for disengaging said clutch, normally ineffective means for marking a stripe on said sheet and extending said stripe each time the machine 'is operated, photocell devices for sensing the length of said stripe, sheet inserting means for operating said engaging means and said photocell devices, and sheet positioning means controlled by said photocell devices for operating said disengaging means and making said marking means effective when the end of said stripe is sensed, and sheet ejecting means for making said marking means ineffective and operating said engaging means to feed the sheet out of said rollers and means rendered operative bythe passage of said sheet out of said rollers for operating said clutch disengaging means.

4. In a machine for feeding a record sheet, sheet feeding rollers, means for detecting the presence of a sheet near said rollers, a driving means for said rollers, means for engaging the driving means with said rollers, means for disengaging said driving means from said rollers, means for marking said sheet according to the extent to which it is fed, normally ineffective photoelectric devices for sensingthe sheet marking, means under control of said detecting means for operating said engaging means and said photoelectric devices, and means under control of said photo-electric devices for operating said disengaging means and said marking means when the end of a previously printed mark issensed.

5. In va machine for feeding and printing a ledger sheet under control of record cards arranged in groups, a platen around which said sheet is fed, means for feeding said cards, means for sensing data on said cards, means for line spacing said platen, means for marking on said sheet a stripe which is lengthened as the sheet is spaced, a driving means, a clutch between said driving means and the platen, a clutch engaging means, a clutch disengaging means, photocell devices for sensing the length of the stripe on said sheet, means for detecting the presence of a sheet at said platen, means under control of said detecting means for operating said engaging means and making said photocell devices effective, sheet insertion control means under control of said photocell devices for operating said disengaging means, making said marking means effective and initiating operation of said card feeding means, item and total printing means controlled by said card sensing means, group control devices for sensing a change in card groups and thereby initiating a total printing operation, sheet ejection control means under control of said group control devices for operating said clutch engaging means, disabling card feeding, and making said marking means ineffective after total printing, means for detecting the passage of the ejected sheet away from the platen, and means under control of said passage detecting means for operating said clutch disengaging means and sustaining the ineffective condition-of said marking means.

6. In a machine forieeding a striped record sheet, sheet feeding means, photocell devices for sensing the length of the stripe on said sheet, marking means for extending the stripe, and means under control of said photocell devices for stopping said feeding means and operating said marking means when the end of the stripe is sensed.

7. In a machine for feeding a striped record sheet, sheet feeding means, photocell devices for sensing the length of the stripe on said sheet, means for detecting the presence of a sheet, means under control of said detecting means for operating said feeding means and said photocell devices, marking means for extending said stripe, and means under control of said photocell devices for stopping said feeding means and operating said marking means when the end of the stripe is sensed.

8. In a machine for feeding a striped record sheet, sheet feeding means, photocell devices for sensing the length of the stripe on said sheet, means for detecting the presence of a sheet, means under control of said detecting means for operating said feeding means and said photocell devices, marking means for extending said stripe, and means under control of said photocell devices for stopping said feeding means and operating said marking means when the end of the stripe is sensed, means for making said marking means ineffective and operating said feeding means to eject the sheet, and means operable as an incident to the ejection of said sheetfor stopping said feeding means.

9. In a machine for printing grouped items on striped ledger sheets, item printing means, line spacing means, sheet feeding means, photocell devices for sensing the length of the stripe on a sheet, marking means for extending -said stripe on each line spacing operation, means under control of said photocell devices for stopping said feeding means and conditioning said item printing, line spacing and marking means for operation when the end of the stripe is sensed, and means operable as an incident to the printing of the last item of a group for making said marking means ineffective and operating said feeding means to eject the sheet.4

10. In a machine for printing items intermittently on a ledger sheet which is inserted automatically in position to receive printing impressions directly under previously printed items, item printing means, line spacing means, sheet feeding devices, a well containing ink, an inking roller in said well, a striping roller in contact with said inking roller, an armature on which said well and rollers are attached, a magnet which when energized operates said armature to lift the striping roller away from the sheet, normally closed contacts in series with said magnet, photocell devices for sensing the length of a previously printed stripe during insertion of the sheet, means under control of said photocell devices for stopping said feeding means when .the end of the stripe is sensed and opening said contacts to deenergize said maghet and drop said striping roller on the sheet, means for adjusting the pressure of said striping roller on said sheet, means under control of said photocell devices for initiating operation of said item printing and line spacing means, and means operable as an incident to the last item printing operation for again closing said contacts to lift said striping roller away from the sheet and initiating operation of said feeding means to eject the sheet.

ll. In a machine for printing and feeding a record sheet, printing devices, line spacing means, line spacing means for inserting and ejecting the sheet, a container for a marking substance, a striping roller on said container, means for conveying the substance to the roller, a pivoted armature on which said container is attached, a magnet for rocking the armature to move said roller away from said sheet, contacts in series with said magnet, and means for closing said contacts to energize said magnet to make the striping roller ineifective when the long spacing means is eiec tive, said means also closing said contacts to deenergize said magnet to make the striping roller effective when the line spacing means is operated.

12. In a machine for printing and feeding a record sheet, a platen on which said sheet is fed, means for line spacing said platen, means for rotating said platen to insert and eject the record sheet, a lever pivoted near said platen, a striping roller onsaid lever in a position to contact with the border of said sheet, means for operating said lever to press said roller on the sheet While line spacing to mark the extentof line spacing, and means for controlling said lever operatingmeans to lift the roller when the platen is operated by said rotating means. I

13. In a machine for feeding a striped record sheet,` a platen, printing devices, line spacing means, sheet feeding means for rotating said platen to insert said sheet, means for sensing said stripe, a platen, a paper table adjacent said platen, a relay, contacts in series with said relay, a paper lever on said table for operating said contacts when a sheet is placed on said table, meansunder control of said relay for making said platen rotating means and said stripe sensing means effective when said contacts are operated, and means under control of said sensing means for stopping said platen rotating means when the end of the stripe is sensed.

14. In a machine for printing and feeding a record'sheet, printing devices, line spacing devices, means for marking a stripe on said sheet as printing and line spacing takes place, sheet feeding means for inserting said sheet, means for sensing the length of said stripe and stopping said feeding means to position the sheet in printing position when the end of said stripe is sensed, and means' under control of said sensing means for initiating operation of said printing devices when the end of the stripe is sensed.

GOINO GHERTMAN. 

